14

Chapter

Multinational Capital Budgeting

South-Western/Thomson Learning 2003

Chapter Objectives
To compare the capital budgeting analysis
of an MNCs subsidiary with that of its parent;

To demonstrate how multinational capital

budgeting can be applied to determine
whether an international project should be
implemented; and

To explain how the risk of international

projects can be assessed.

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Subsidiary versus Parent

Perspective
Should the capital budgeting for a multinational project be conducted from the
viewpoint of the subsidiary that will
administer the project, or the parent that will
provide most of the financing?

The results may vary with the perspective

taken because the net after-tax cash inflows
to the parent can differ substantially from
those to the subsidiary.
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Subsidiary versus Parent

Perspective
The difference in cash inflows is due to :

Tax differentials

What is the tax rate on remitted funds?

Regulations that restrict remittances

Excessive remittances

The parent may charge its subsidiary very

high administrative fees.

Exchange rate movements

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Remitting Subsidiary Earnings to the Parent

Cash Flows Generated by Subsidiary

Corporate Taxes
Paid to Host
Government

After-Tax Cash Flows to Subsidiary

Retained Earnings
by Subsidiary
Cash Flows Remitted by Subsidiary
After-Tax Cash Flows Remitted by Subsidiary

Withholding Tax
Paid to Host
Government

Conversion of Funds
to Parents Currency
Cash Flows to Parent
Parent
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Subsidiary versus Parent

Perspective
A parents perspective is appropriate when
evaluating a project, since any project that
can create a positive net present value for
the parent should enhance the firms
value.

However, one exception to this rule may

occur when the foreign subsidiary is not
wholly owned by the parent.
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Input for Multinational

Capital Budgeting
The following forecasts are usually required:
1.
Initial investment
2. Product price & Consumer demand
3. Costs
4. Tax Laws
5. Remitted Funds
6. Exchange Rates
7. Salvage Value
8. Required rate of return
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Multinational
Capital Budgeting
Capital budgeting is necessary for all
long-term projects that deserve
consideration.

One common method of performing the

analysis is to estimate the cash flows and
salvage value to be received by the parent,
and compute the net present value (NPV)
of the project.
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Multinational
Capital Budgeting
NPV = initial outlay
n

t
cash flow in period
t

t =1

(1 + k )

+ salvage value

(1 + k )n
k = the required rate of return on the project
n = project lifetime in terms of periods

If NPV > 0, the project can be accepted.

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Capital Budgeting Analysis

Period t
1.
Demand(1)
2.
Price per unit(2)
3.
Total revenue(1)(2)=(3)
4.
Variable cost per unit(4)
5.
Total variable cost (1)(4)=(5)
6.
Annual lease expense (Fixed Exp.)(6)
7.
Other fixed periodic expenses (Interest)(7)
8.
Noncash expense (depreciation)(8)
9.
Total expenses
(5)+(6)+(7)+(8)=(9)
10.
Before-tax earnings of subsidiary(3)(9)=(10)
11.
Host government taxtax
rate(10)=(11)
12.
After-tax earnings of subsidiary(10)(11)=(12)

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Capital Budgeting Analysis

Period t
Net cash flow to subsidiary (12)+(8)=(13)
Remittance to parent(14)
Tax on remitted fundstax

13.
14.
15.
rate(14)=(15)
16.
Remittance after withheld tax(14)
(15)=(16)
17.
Salvage value(17)
18.
Exchange rate(18)
19.
Cash flow to parent(16
18)=(19)
20.
PV of Parents Cash Flow (%)(20)
21. Initial Investment (-)
(21)
23.
Cumulative NPV(23)

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Factors to Consider in
Multinational Capital Budgeting
Exchange rate fluctuations. Different

scenarios should be considered together

with their probability of occurrence.
Inflation. Although price/cost forecasting

implicitly considers inflation, inflation can

be quite volatile from year to year for
some countries.

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Factors to Consider in
Multinational Capital Budgeting
Financing arrangement. Financing costs

are usually captured by the discount rate.

However, many foreign projects are
partially financed by foreign subsidiaries.
Blocked funds. Some countries may

require that the earnings be reinvested

locally for a certain period of time before
they can be remitted to the parent.
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Factors to Consider in
Multinational Capital Budgeting
Uncertain salvage value. The salvage value

typically has a significant impact on the

projects NPV, and the MNC may want to
compute the break-even salvage value.
Impact of project on prevailing cash flows.

The new investment may compete with the

existing business for the same customers.
Host government incentives. These should

also be considered in the analysis.

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Adjusting Project Assessment

for Risk
If an MNC is unsure of the cash flows of a
proposed project, it needs to adjust its
assessment for this risk.

One method is to use a risk-adjusted

discount rate. The greater the uncertainty, the
larger the discount rate that is applied.

Many computer software packages are also

available to perform sensitivity analysis and
simulation.
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Impact of Multinational Capital Budgeting

on an MNCs Value
Multinational Capital Budgeting
Decisions

E CF E ER

Value =
t =1

j 1

j, t

1 k

j, t

E (CFj,t )
=
expected cash flows in
currency j to be received by the U.S. parent at the
end of period t
E (ERj,t )
=
expected exchange rate at
which currency j can be converted to dollars at

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Chapter Review
Subsidiary versus Parent Perspective

Tax Differentials
Restricted Remittances
Excessive Remittances
Exchange Rate Movements

Input for Multinational Capital Budgeting

Multinational Capital Budgeting
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Chapter Review
Factors to Consider in Multinational Capital
Budgeting
Exchange Rate Fluctuations
Inflation
Financing Arrangement
Blocked Funds
Uncertain Salvage Value
Impact of Project on Prevailing Cash Flows
Host Government Incentives
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Chapter Review
Adjusting Project Assessment for Risk

Risk-Adjusted Discount Rate

Sensitivity Analysis
Simulation

Impact of Multinational Capital Budgeting

on an MNCs Value

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